I think this is an important topic because before I became certified through NASM, I didn’t realize how many bad eating habits I was blindly following.

So I’m here to spread some helpful knowledge.

Let’s talk about carbs for a sec. Now I was once under the misconception that carbs are bad for you. After having my son, like most mothers, I wanted desperately to lose all my baby weight. I had heard that if I cut carbs from my diet I would lose weight. When I mention carbs I’m talking about rice, potatoes, pasta, bread…also known as complex carbs.

You still with me?

So I cut them from my diet. Poof. Done son.

No more complex carbs. And to my surprise, I lost weight! I mean I lost weight quickly. But I was tired ALL the time! I was physically and mentally drained. I was losing weight but I was always hungry. I had the worst cravings for everything and I never had a full tank of energy to complete my workouts.

Little did I know that your body uses carbs for energy. That was a little science lesson. Your body breaks the carbs you eat down into sugars which are then converted into glucose. Glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream and provides energy for your body!

Long story short: carbs are GOOD for your body.

They help the body function. Choosing the RIGHT kind of carbs is a different story.

Note that fruits and vegetables are considered carbs as well. When choosing carbs you want to be sure that the carbs will also provide your body with nutritional value. Vitamins, minerals, fiber…all the good stuff that our bodies need! When picking fruits and veggies “raw” is always best.

I’m talking about eating a real peach vs the canned fruits (because it’s not the same). Steamed vegetables, brown rice, wheat, oats are all good ideas. Just remember that eating too much of ANYTHING is never a good idea.

Ok. Let’s move onto fats.

Another big misconception is that fats are bad for you. Truth be told dietary fat is not automatically stored as body fat (excess body fat = “no bueno).

Excess storage of fat is what gains weight.

There are two types of fats: saturated and unsaturated. Saturated fats are the bad guys. I’m talking about butter, potato chips, and pretty much everything you find in fast food.

Unsaturated fats are the good guys. These come from seeds, oil, fish, nuts..etc.

Side note! My all-time fat is peanut butter! YES! Who doesn’t love peanut butter? Seriously I eat a spoonful…maybe two…of PB before bed. PB and banana sandwiches, PB shakes, PB in my oatmeal….you get the point. It’s awesome. Ok. Back on track…

Fats actually regulate your hormones and if you lack sufficient carbs in your diet, fats will convert into energy for your body as well. It’s a good thing to consume a healthy dose of daily fats.

I hope this information was helpful for you! Hit me up if you have any questions or need any other fitness advice.